Formula 1 talk.

[Inthehighdesert]

Give me a break. I am very aware of what Lewis Hamilton is and does. I’m not a Hamilton fan boy nor am I naive. He is one of the best drivers in F1 history, but Hamilton is all about Hamilton. He constantly seeks attention. Your obviously aware of why he resides in Monaco as well, right? It’s all good your a Hamilton fan.

You obviously know little about Lewis and his philanthropic endeavors. He is and has been very generous with his donations too many different causes. In this instance it is not on the drivers to give money back to the spectators. That's on F1 and the FIA.

As far as rule changes, the negative press on what happened this weekend may well spur the FIA to make some changes. Liberty Media hates negative press.

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[HoosierDaddy]

Your obviously aware of why he resides in Monaco as well, right?

Because you can write off a multimillion dollar car in a single vehicle accident on dry roads in perfect weather without getting a ticket?

 

[XeninWorX]

Or because they don’t pay taxes in Monaco.

 

[Bikeman315]

Or because they don’t pay taxes in Monaco.

Monaco has been a tax haven for the 1% for years. Nothing to see here.

 

[Caballus]

Think Hamilon is going to give up his check for race day? I highly doubt it. This is also the same guy that drug his contract netotiations out for months on end over money. He’s done that repeatedly throughout his career. If the shoe was on the other foot and he had pole and got the points yesterday his tune would be different. I don’ think the FIA will change one thing about the rules and this type of situation when its all said and done, regardless of what is said in the next few days.

Not confident about FIA changing rules either, although if there is a chance, this fiasco would be the catalyst. Won't hold my breath though.

Actually, I do think Hamilton would give up a paycheck to repay fans. It would be good business, because it would play well to the fans. All great athletes play to the fans (they are entertainers in the long run, or at least use their talents to entertain). Great athletes also tend to drag out contract negotiations, as they should. The industry(ies) exist because of them and pull in far more profit than the athletes. The greatest of them can also criticize their corporations for being greedy. In the end, the salary is more symbolic than anything. The Hamilton name (like the Ali, Bryant or Brady) will make money long after they are gone. The points ultimately didn't make a difference to his standing either. Again, facts are facts.

 

[Caballus]

Give me a break. I am very aware of what Lewis Hamilton is and does. I’m not a Hamilton fan boy nor am I naive. He is one of the best drivers in F1 history, but Hamilton is all about Hamilton. He constantly seeks attention. Your obviously aware of why he resides in Monaco as well, right? It’s all good your a Hamilton fan.

Personally, I don't qualify as a "fan" of any celebrity. But, I was in Monaco for the start of the Tour de France one year (before Lance imploded--respected him before that). If I were a rich F1 driver, Monaco would definitely be on the list, at least for part of the year. If I made as much as Lewis Hamilton, I doubt that I'd be concerned about the tax break part of it, particularly considering how much he gives away. Being all about ones' self is OK (and difficult to prove) when you're contributing to others. Don't have to agree with one's causes to respect them for actively supporting a cause.

 

[Caballus]

Because you can write off a multimillion dollar car in a single vehicle accident on dry roads in perfect weather without getting a ticket?

Tiger? Oh...no, ok...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

In the end, the salary is more symbolic than anything. The Hamilton name (like the Ali, Bryant or Brady) will make money long after they are gone.

True, I wouldn't drink half the OJ I do now if not for Bryant.

 

[Caballus]

True, I wouldn't drink half the OJ I do now if not for Bryant.

Now you will never catch a cold again!

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I’m not quite sure how to start with your second paragraph. But here go’s. The industry exists because of them? Hardly. No fans, zero revenue. No way around that. And drivers are easily replaced to keep the fans coming. Obviously some more popular then others. As for salary ‘s being symbolic. That couldn’t be further from reality. Hamilton’s was almost 50mil a year. Hardly a symbolic number. And lets be honest, his “negotiation”, I’ll call it attempted extortion, went on for so long because Merc refused his even more lofty demands. I have no problem with some one trying to monetize there position, just don’t try and act like your a commoner. And the last statement that the points don’t matter is a complete crock. If that’s the case and you truly believe that then there is no reason to even address what happened with the race not running.

Not confident about FIA changing rules either, although if there is a chance, this fiasco would be the catalyst. Won't hold my breath though.

Actually, I do think Hamilton would give up a paycheck to repay fans. It would be good business, because it would play well to the fans. All great athletes play to the fans (they are entertainers in the long run, or at least use their talents to entertain). Great athletes also tend to drag out contract negotiations, as they should. The industry(ies) exist because of them and pull in far more profit than the athletes. The greatest of them can also criticize their corporations for being greedy. In the end, the salary is more symbolic than anything. The Hamilton name (like the Ali, Bryant or Brady) will make money long after they are gone. The points ultimately didn't make a difference to his standing either. Again, facts are facts.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

None of us know how much any of these celebrity’s truly give. That‘s a fact. Just because they form a “foundation” or put there picture, or make a statement in support of something does not mean they are giving to that or any other cause. In the US, and I‘m sure it’s very similar in Europe a foundation is a very good tax shelter. Non-profits are a cash cow as well in many situations. US law only requires 5% to be given back out for the stated cause. Until any of them post up a schedule c, hamilton included, what they claim to give is not verifiable.

Personally, I don't qualify as a "fan" of any celebrity. But, I was in Monaco for the start of the Tour de France one year (before Lance imploded--respected him before that). If I were a rich F1 driver, Monaco would definitely be on the list, at least for part of the year. If I made as much as Lewis Hamilton, I doubt that I'd be concerned about the tax break part of it, particularly considering how much he gives away. Being all about ones' self is OK (and difficult to prove) when you're contributing to others. Don't have to agree with one's causes to respect them for actively supporting a cause.

 

[Inthehighdesert]

All I want is good racing with the politics and puffery left out of it. F1, Motogp, and WEC are my preferred choices. Motogp is better on every level when compared to F1. Competition, the fan experience, etc. If your a racing purist WEC is hard to beat for access.

 

[Caballus]

I’m not quite sure how to start with your second paragraph. But here go’s. The industry exists because of them? Hardly. No fans, zero revenue. No way around that. And drivers are easily replaced to keep the fans coming. Obviously some more popular then others. As for salary ‘s being symbolic. That couldn’t be further from reality. Hamilton’s was almost 50mil a year. Hardly a symbolic number. And lets be honest, his “negotiation”, I’ll call it attempted extortion, went on for so long because Merc refused his even more lofty demands. I have no problem with some one trying to monetize there position, just don’t try and act like your a commoner. And the last statement that the points don’t matter is a complete crock. If that’s the case and you truly believe that then there is no reason to even address what happened with the race not running.

Completely disagree. Tom Brady is so valuable because of the fans he draws. He can be replaced, but not with someone of the same caliber, at least not yet. Allstar athletes make more on royalties, sponsorship, etc, than they do on salary. There is no way whatsoever that Brady could extort the NFL. They are too big and too powerful. Same is true of F1. It's business. Nevertheless, it still boils down to fans. Fans used to pay big bucks in hopes that they would see Ali lose, for example. He played up to the crowd and incited their desire to see him lose. He had a degree of leverage uncommon to the average professional athlete and so does Hamilton. That is what is being monetized--talent and personality.

As cynical as I can be, I am not cynical enough to believe that his donations are solely for tax breaks, especially when you look at his brother's condition, but to each his own.

 

[Bikeman315]

And now Bernie has spoken.

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/ecclestone-slams-f1-over-belgian-164404575.html

 

[dpAtlanta]

And now Bernie has spoken.

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/ecclestone-slams-f1-over-belgian-164404575.html

I admire Bernie's audacious statement.

Would he have been that bold and made that statement when he was in power?

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