Jun.23 - A camp is forming in the Formula 1 paddock among those who think the sport's drivers should toughen up about 'porpoising'.

Former driver David Coulthard, now a highly respected broadcaster, says he is from an era in which F1 drivers "take the pain" of their job in the cockpit.

"What I would say is if any driver feels uncomfortable, if any driver feels like he's doing himself long-term damage - step aside," said the Scot.

"There's a whole bunch of guys and girls that would very happily step into your car if you feel uncomfortable."

Many active drivers have spoken out against the bodily harms the ground effect cars may be having this year, but reigning world champion Max Verstappen certainly sides with Coulthard.

"There are a lot of sports out there where I think you damage your body in general," the Dutchman said.

"I mean, once you retire from your career, you won't be like you were when you were 20. That is simply how it is."

1996 world champion Damon Hill insists: "All I can say is that when I was racing, nobody was interested."

AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost went a step further, telling German media that some current F1 drivers are "sissies".

Former F1 driver Christian Danner told Servus TV: "I was tall in my day and never finished a grand prix without pain.

"I got to drive Lewis' car a few years ago and nothing hurts you. It was like a Rolls Royce feeling."

He also suspects that Lewis Hamilton's post-Baku back pain was mainly theatrical.

"It's all prearranged and I thought the way he got out of the car was very theatrical.

"We used to have pre-loaded springs, no power steering, you changed gear by hand. After 300 kilometres you were completely exhausted," Danner explained.


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14 F1 Fan comments on “Growing camp tells current F1 drivers to toughen up

  1. ReallyOldRacer

    Wholesale driver bashing is not warranted. There are only a couple of drivers whining, most of all the great British thespian, Loser Lewie.

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  2. Adrian Roscher

    Poor Baby Lewie, must suck to not have the fastest, best handling car on the grid like he's been used to for the past decade, AND to have been comprehensively out-qualified AND out-finished by his much younger teammate so far this year... regular readers will recall I predicted exactly this while the hamster was in his prolonged pout last winter!

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  3. who_cares

    amen

    but could you imagine the brouhaha if somebody not in the club called athletes sissies ;-)

    i'm sure this story will get no press coverage though and die a quick death

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  4. CanadianEh

    It's already been said that Dame Lucille was giving a great show getting out of the car at Baku, whilst he practically leapt out of the car in Canada. The difference being, in Canada, a podium awaited.

    Well, the Dame's broad spectrum of shenanigan's have damaged his credibility permanently. With the exception of Mad Max, Alonso and Bottas, many of the drivers are caught in the blast-radius of the Dame's bullsh_t.

    I'm with David Coulthard on this one.

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  5. smokey

    Good grief, with all the money they get paid for their services they should be able to take a bit of pain! They have become the powder puff brigade! I agree with Coulthard and Christmas Dinner.

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  6. Susan

    I totally agree. From all indications, Sir Whines-a-Lot is back in the pink. Amazing how quickly he recovered, which tells me there was a great deal of theatrics at Baku. His behavior is ridicules, who does he think he’s kidding. Pass the baton, Lew, let some else have a shot at winning. Your antics are embarrassing.

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  7. Susan

    Nice touch from Toto, wonder if he thought up the S@#tB*x description himself or subcontracted it out. He’s running neck and neck with his fair haired boy for the biggest adolescent award.

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    • Adrian Roscher

      Yes, he and Baby Lewie are both repeat whiners. My prior respect for Toto Wolf went waaaaaay down close to zero when I heard the whiny little bitch voice in which he begged Masi at Abu Dhabi: "pleeeeeeeze Michael, don't give us a safety car!" When of course one was fully warranted.

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  8. shroppyfly

    I guess we, we being fans,team principals , respected Ex f1 drivers have it all wrong and Mb have it right, lewie and toto call it dangerous, hmmm dangerous to me is 1500 hp from turbo bmw s , anywayyyy

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  9. Ricky

    Well said DC is spot on & as for hampsters antics getting out of the car in Baku was he auditioning for the new movie or putting on a show for Netflix either way complete bull shit theatrics

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