Driving Standards and setting the wrong precedent.

I said after the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend that I was very tempted to blog about GP2 driving standards but chose not to. It is a topic I feel passionately about and based on social media this weekend, I think it is a topic that you at home feel passionately about too. In fact it is not often I feel compelled to write negatively about something but after witnessing GP2 driver Johnny Cecotto Jnr side swipe Sergio Canamasas at the weekend and not get a penalty, I felt incensed. 

The reason I've decided to blog about this is firstly because I do not think I'm the only one who feels aggrieved and secondly because I feel the situation needs addressing. It is a tough subject to broach without naming individuals but Johnny Cecotto Jnr is a repeat offender. However, it is not my intent to name and shame drivers as I do not feel it is productive.

I strongly believe, in all sports, that relying solely on the individual to show sportsmanship, grace and honesty, in this modern era, is wrong. Yes, we can and should expect those on show to have a moral obligation to the organisers, sponsors and fans to behave sportingly but we cannot rely on it. What we can and should rely on is the rules and regulations to be implemented properly. Then, should an individual stray away from their moral compass, they are instantly corrected and punished accordingly. If this concept is followed correctly then we would not be feeling cheated or aggrieved, and most importantly the competitors would have more respect for the environment they are competing in and those around them. 

I think I am right in saying that after Johnny Cecotto Jnr's display of petulance in Malaysia, many of you felt that his punishment was not severe enough. I agree, without doubt, that he was not punished sufficiently and it is no coincidence that two weekends later, his driving standards are yet again back in the spotlight. Surprisingly, he has yet again escaped unpunished. 

The precedent set here is alarming and a dangerous one in all respects. A GP2 driver from this weekend actually tweeted that driving standards were now at an all time low and I would have to agree with him. The characteristic displayed here is not too dissimilar to a referee failing to take control of a football or rugby match. From a players point of view, the pressure is palpable, and when you start to feel unfairly judged, or even worse that the rules and regulations are being unfairly exploited by the opposition without any judicial ruling from the referee, then historically it leads to players taking matters into their own hands; a reaction born from frustration and losing out. Unfortunately I feel that is precisely what is happening here in GP2. Drivers are straying away from their moral compasses as unruly driving is going unpunished. For me, last weekend was not only about silly mistakes but more about petulance and frustration. 

Ultimately, I feel sorry for GP2 as their name is getting dragged through the mud on social media because of mistakes made by the rules and regulatory body in charge of regulating the formula. I also feel if it was down to GP2, this might not be happening. In World Series by Renault, the structure and culture is very different. Renault operates a very strict rule of thumb when it comes to driving standards. But they have the ability to steer their own ship in this department whereas GP2 is relying on the FIA stewards to deliver continuity and equality. 

GP2 is blessed with another crop of very talented individuals this year and they deserve better. They are young, impressionable and fighting for a dream. That hunger needs to guided and challenged at times. Free reign will only end badly. None of us want to see that in a sport where danger is prominent. Something needs to be done to address this behaviour before it becomes the norm.

One solution I would like to see implemented is the penalty points system currently being mooted by the FIA. The Formula 1 teams have already given it the green light. However, three points for causing a dangerous accident is too lenient. With a total of twelve points on offer that means you can cause four serious accidents in a calendar year before you get a race ban. Surely that is too many? Personally I would like to see a three card system similar to what we see employed by football and rugby match officials. That way after Malaysia and Barcelona, Johnny Cecotto Jnr would have two yellow cards equalling a red now, resulting in him serving a one race ban. More minor racing incidents can carry a warning but deliberate acts of aggression need to be charted and penalised. 

The issue you still face, however, is ensuring the correct personnel are delivering this concept and that the system is also rolled out to the GP support series.  Continuity and standardisation is paramount otherwise the system will serve to fan the flames rather than quell them. Drivers need to recognise their mistakes or negative actions will result in consequences. The best way to do this is to instil into them that each negative action carries a consequence. Having a penalty system would mean that they would carry that responsibility around with them for the whole year.

Are women mentally tough enough to compete in Formula 1?

This time last week, Sir Stirling Moss created a real stir with his dated and somewhat antiquated comments regarding women in Motorsport. 

Will Buxton summed up the ensuing furore beautifully on Twitter: "Hold on. The BBC asked an 83 year old racing driver for a comment about women? And it was politically incorrect? I’m staggered". (@willbuxton)

Everyone in the world of Motorsport respects Sir Stirling Moss and his achievements hugely but there is no doubt that his most recent comments are born on a generation apart from today's world of equal opportunity and experiences. This question was a media banana skin for Sir Stirling and his answer, albeit it wrong does not really surprise me. I do not agree with his comments but at the same time I've lost no respect for the legend. 

Common sense has to prevail and we need to be realistic and understand that if we want to find a true answer to the question 'Are women mentally tough enough to compete in Formula 1?’ then surely we should be chasing the current generation for answers; drivers who have competed against the current crop of female drivers. Not an 83 year old legend from an era where women were not competitors but trophy girlfriends. 

The topic of female racing drivers is a subject well documented by the media over the last few years. I think the best article I've read recently was by Autosport's Ed Straw: 'Time to take female drivers seriously'. Sadly not all share his positive viewpoints. You are never far away from a patronising or casually sexist comment. Ironically, most of these comments come from those with zero experience on the topic: they are neither female nor have they competed against the very individuals they are spreading unfounded negativity about. Having been Danica Patrick's stablemate at Haywood Racing and competed against Susie Wolff in Formula Ford, I think I am well placed to offer my knowledge and experiences on the topic. 

First and foremost, Danica is a fierce competitor, as fierce a competitor as anyone else I've driven against. I remember I realised very early on that you did not cross Danica as she is not scared of letting you know of her displeasure. Some may argue this side of her is petulant; call it what you want, she wants to compete and she is ready to fight for what she thinks is right. To quote John Cleese in ‘Fawlty Towers’: “She can kill a man from ten paces with one lash of her tongue". It was this side of Danica that really made me stand up and take notice. Of course she is also very amicable and has a hugely marketable side to her, in and out of competition. Danica is very astute; do not be fooled by the petite frame and pretty exterior. Personally I cannot understand why others begrudge Danica for using all her attributes and her astuteness to maximum effect in order to progress her career. She has been diligent and smart and I'd certainly do the same if I were her and so would a lot of others. Surely these comments are just born out of jealousy. No doubt Danica Patrick has more than earned her status in motor sport and would be a valuable asset to Formula 1. 

Another female driver I have had the pleasure of competing against is Susie Wolff or Susie Stoddart as she was known then. I think my Mother spent more time talking to Susie than she did me in the British Formula Ford paddock. She was in awe of Susie and rightfully so. I think most of the recent resentment towards Susie is born off the back of her marriage to Toto Wolff. Many see this as the sole reason she's secured her Williams F1 testing role. I do not share that naive view. It is a disrespectful attitude towards a driver who finished ninth overall in 2003 British Formula Renault (2 places behind Paul Di Resta) and is a BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver nominee. There is no hiding from the fact that Susie was never able to show her full potential in DTM. After 6 years with Mercedes, the DTM put Susie Stoddart's name on the map regardless of whether or not she fully mastered the car. Susie is a very different character to Danica. Whereas Danica is a very fiery individual, Susie is much more approachable and gentle in her manner. But make no mistake, when she puts her helmet on, she is just as committed as any other driver on the grid. She has one interest and one interest only and that is to be the best driver she can be. Susie Stoddart has worked hard to utilise all opportunities that have come her way, never missing the chance to build on her talent. This work ethic has seen her reach the top of the sport and deservedly so. 

So do Susie and Danica have the aptitude to compete in Formula 1? Of course they do and to say they do not is saying they are incompetent. They might not win a Formula 1 race but that does not make them incapable. With that attitude, half of the current Formula 1 grid would be inept at producing the results they consistently achieve. Tim Henman is not incapable of playing tennis just because he has never won a Grand Slam. He did not lack the aptitude; he was just beaten by better players on the day. Sometimes on the world stage there are simply others that are better than you. Most racing drivers have to cope with that scenario but being female and dealing with that does not mean you lack the aptitude; it is just a way of life regardless of your sex. All drivers will strive to be the best they can be and all drivers should be able to do this without prejudice or being patronised. 

Interestingly enough, Cricket is in the midst of a similar debate. Sarah Taylor, one of England's top female cricket players is striving to become the first female to participate in the men's professional game this summer. Historically, cricket is a male orientated aristocratic environment, formerly governed by the MCC. Although women's cricket has grown dramatically over the last few years with the introduction of live TV, the idea of a woman cricketer competing in the men's game professionally is somewhat unprecedented. Ironically, it is from the MCC that this idea has stemmed; a club that only allowed female members in 1998. 

Many have backed the idea and are excited to see Sarah Taylor take up the opportunity, should it arise. However, just like in Motorsport, there are many doubters. Does Sarah have the power or strength to compete? Can she handle bowlers up and around 90 mph?! A big part of fast bowling is physical intimidation i.e. bowling fast so that it bounces towards the head or chest. With this in mind, some question whether or not male bowlers will even want to bowl against women, putting the players in a tough position. I suppose the full test of equality, should Taylor play, would be whether the male fast bowlers would bounce her and risk hurting her. 

Personally I fully support the idea of Sarah Taylor playing and comments suggesting men wouldn't want to bowl against her are condescending and patronising towards her ability. 

Women do have the aptitude to complete in Formula 1 the same as they have the aptitude to play Men's cricket. If you have the ability, then gender is not important. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Susie Wolff in a Formula 1 car and Sarah Taylor playing Men's cricket for Sussex. May they pave the way for others to follow and go a long way to stemming this old fashioned view that women are inferior to men in these two sports.