Ron Walker, the boss of the Australian Grand Prix, has launched a scathing attack on Formula 1’s drivers – labelling them “prima donnas” over their complaints about visibility levels at the ‘twilight’ Melbourne race. Drivers have voiced concerns over dim driving conditions towards the closing stages of the Albert Park race since the event was shifted to a 5pm local starting time for the benefit of European TV viewers from 2009. Michael Schumacher revealed at this year’s race last month that the FIA had informed the drivers that it had carried out tests on the visibility levels towards the end of the race and that changes to the start time were on the cards for 2011.
Walker, however, has poured scorn on the drivers’ grievances – challenging the suggestion that there are safety problems while also slamming many of the grid’s stars for being “lazy”. "It's clearly not dangerous," Mr Walker told the Herald Sun newspaper. "You can't please these drivers, they are a bunch of lazy people who won't do anything to help the sport, except for two or three. "A lot of drivers are prima donnas. They are never happy."
Australian GP officials agreed to the ‘twilight’ start time for the 2009 event onwards as a compromise with Bernie Ecclestone, who had pushed for the race to run at night. The Herald Sun also quotes a local Victoria government spokesman as saying the timing of the race was set for five years, but that the government would consider evidence from the FIA.
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My, my. Why all the hostility directed at the drivers? If I were in a racing car, I'd think seeing was pretty darned important. Why not direct his anger at Butthead Bernie, who wants to adjust world time to suit the convenience of a few of foppish friends who want to be able to watch the race while munching scones with marmalade before setting off in the shooting brake to hunt grouse. Fuck them.......
I wonder if Bernie knows what a DVR IS?
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