‘There is no such thing as a bad Grand Prix’, a colleague of mine often says. While some Formula One races may appear to be processional, others predictable, put some sort of historical context around them and they can be regarded as classic and remembered for all the right reasons.
Have you noticed that there has been a changing of the guard when it comes to news journalists, particularly on television. Gone are many of the seasoned reporters. Some have retired, some burnt-out while others have moved to less stressful roles in media. What has gone with them, and not yet appreciated, is the ability to put both sports, political and news affairs into context. This depth of experience is often sadly lacking in NZ media.
As the FIFA Women’s World Cup of football is currently underway, let’s look at the last time a New Zealand made the competition when the men’s team contested Paraquay, Slovakia and Italy in Group F in South Africa at the 2010 tournament. The result was that we never made it through to the next round.
Putting some context around this, it was an impressive performance by the All Whites. We didn’t lose a match. All three were drawn including against the might of Italy who were also knocked out with NZ.
Context comes with experience and an awareness of history. It is an understanding of the circumstances that have created the setting for an event, an occasion, a statement, process or result. This adds clarity to an opinion and gives understanding to what has happened or about to proceed.
Why do we seek guidance from our ‘elders’, our parents or grandparents who speak from the wisdom of experience from another generation.
Where does the best F1 opinion come from? Of course, it’s from retired drivers and world champions who have that experience and understanding of what is taking place.
Since the turn of the century there has only been eight F1 World Champions in 23 years (Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Max Verstappen) and four different winners of the Constructors Championship (Ferrari, Brawn-Mercedes, Red Bull and Mercedes). Boring or brilliant?
Verstappen has won two consecutive titles and is well on track for a third. His winning streak this season could be considered predictable, processional, prodigious and tedious. Yet, put it in context and we might be seeing one of the greatest periods in F1 history on the back of Hamilton’s momentous reign.
Should this be compared to the early days of Formula One back in the 1960-70s? Maybe not. Look deeper into many of the Grand Prix results and don’t be surprised by how few cars finished a race, let alone on the same lap as often the winner was several ahead of the next! Yet in context, this was quite a different era of advancements in technology, the laying of a foundation of what has evolved into today’s F1 industry. A time of real danger and evolving considerations to safety. A time where, like today, extraordinary talent emerged to the top in both drivers and chassis design.
Context can lead to a renewed appreciation often not seen until we look back in history. For me at the time, those Schumacher years at the top were almost predictable and processional. Now I look back with some satisfaction of having watched every lap in an epic Ferrari era.
Let’s enjoy this unique time in F1 history with Verstappen at the top and former F1 championship Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso battling for podium places.
Comments