Lotus apologizes for outburst

[Scott]

http://www.racer.com/lotus-apologizes-for-raikkonen-outburst/article/318303/

Funny how the headline says they apologize to Kimi, but the body of the story seems to be about an apology to the fans.  I thought the unwritten rule was that if you swore on the radio, FOM wouldn't broadcast it.  Someone wrote that's why Mark often drops the F-bomb when he's talking to the team via radio.

[John S]

I thought the unwritten rule was that if you swore on the radio, FOM wouldn't broadcast it.  Someone wrote that's why Mark often drops the F-bomb when he's talking to the team via radio.

Seems the sleepy old FOM have at last realised that teams rely on the profanities to avoid their transmissions being broadcast. 'Reckless Eric's apology is to try to prevent a Malaysia type backlash, having been caught ordering Kimi to give up the place to 'Wrecker'.   

I'm just surprised Bernie has found anyone young enough in his entourage to have speedy enough reactions to press the bleep at the right time.  Must have taken on a cheap intern or two. 

[cosworth151]

I agree. Eric isn't sorry it was said, but he's very sorry that it was widely heard. Still, how different would things be for Vettel if he would have issued a similar mea culpa after Sepang?

As for Bernie, remember that Ian, Lonny, Dare & I would be the "youngsters" in Bernie's mob. 

[lkjohnson1950]

Got that right by cracky!

[F1fanaticBD]

I agree. Eric isn't sorry it was said, but he's very sorry that it was widely heard.

But is it his fault or his teams, that it was widely heard? I still don't understand the reason for the apology? The team-radio transmission is suppose to be a private privileged communication between driver & his team. If FOM decides to open it up for the whole world, then they should embrace the fact that languages will not be in order or manners will not be maintained.

I have a feeling, as there is a group of investors interested in Lotus(For how long are we hearing about them), this may have been a bad PR, which the corporate-nosy cronies may not like, so keep them satisfied, they issued the immediate apology. If it was in any other time they would not have bothered a bit.

Last time Kimi said something, Scotty ended up depicting it, wonder where this may end 

[John S]

BD this is the 21st century and TV viewers expect to have more available to them from races so team/car radio broadcasts are here to stay. In the States they have been broadcasting the radio traffic between cars and teams for years, it certainly livens up the endless round and round on the oval tracks. 

The real point all of us is making is that Eric is apologising for team orders being barked when none should have been necessary, If I remember correctly they are one of the detractors about Ferrari's clear team orders.

Most other teams would have informed Kimi that Massa was closing fast behind the two lotus cars and they needed 3rd place. Same net result but leaves it open to interpretation.   

 

 

[Scott]

Last time Kimi said something, Scotty ended up depicting it, wonder where this may end 

Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing!!   

[Scott]

Most other teams would have informed Kimi that Massa was closing fast behind the two lotus cars and they needed 3rd place. Same net result but leaves it open to interpretation.   

Most teams who aren't bitter that their unpaid or poorly paid star has decided to jump ship 

[lkjohnson1950]

Lotus insists Kimi is getting paid, just not on time. I think Kimi's main concern was that Lotus would not have the necessary financing to maintain the level of performance they have.

[F1fanaticBD]

Most other teams would have informed Kimi that Massa was closing fast behind the two lotus cars and they needed 3rd place. Same net result but leaves it open to interpretation.   

Most teams who aren't bitter that their unpaid or poorly paid star has decided to jump ship