Are F1 drivers robots?

[marina 0]

Villeneauve replied today that the reason for his retirement from F1 was because - Today they prefer F1 drivers without personality. Now they are only looking for Robot drivers likes Kimi.

I find this very hard to understand. How can a F1 driver be called a robot,when he is the one that has to make all the decisions.

[Sato 0]

he meant in the way kimi barely talks and doesn't have the personality like villi...and drivers like that who will speak out on things and so on. Kimi just keeps quiet in the corner so to speak.

[juany 0]

now, once Irvine and JV left there is not much 'character' in the paddock anymore.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

We still have Ron Dennis...

[boftolod 0]

Even so, everyone still has to pick their words VERY carefully! so as not to upset their sponsors. I always thought that Ron Dennis was one of the worst in terms of always saying P.R. friendly drivell, untill the fighting fund debarkle came on board.

Juan has also surprised me with the "Williams winning this year and McLaren comign out on top next" comments. I'm sure that Williams sponsors loved that one, or maybe he knew that he wouldn't fit in the car this year!

Whatever the situation, Everyone needs to look after the sponsors.

[nojvnof1 0]

When JV uses the term robot, he means they have no personality and are corporate puppets, and I agree with him 100%. This is one of the main reasons he's out of F1 and may not return. Formula one has become a joke, a circus where whoever has the most money or looks good to companies gets a drive whilst the talented opinionated ones are left in the cold. It's also why Irvine is out. Why are all these kids entering F1?? It's because they make perfect 'yes' men for corporates and aren't allowed to say what they feel. That's why with JV you either love him or hate him, because he has a habit of telling it like it is, not caring for the consequences.

F1 needs characters. I can only imagine what the likes of Senna and Giles would be saying if they were with us now regarding the pathetic state of F1 at the moment. These men gave up their lives for the sport, but whilst they were with us told it like it was and weren't the puppets we see in the sport today. I know they must keep the sponsors happy, but come on, not to the extent of not having an opinion AND willing to share it. That's why JV was so disliked by the establishment. He was a nonconformist, a rebel, who went against all the garbage F1 is about and to this day still hasn't been accepted by many in the paddock. JV told it like it was and it cost him his job. I'd rather he go out that way then losing his personality and becoming a corporate puppet like Kimi and most of the grid. Don't get me wrong, I think Kimi is an amazing talent, but he needs a personality. With Jacques, people could relate to him, same with Montoya, as he's so bloody passionate, fast and very very opinionated.

shaun