Moss, Mass and Stoddart bridge the generations at GP Live launch
GP legends Sir Stirling Moss, Jochen Mass and Paul Stoddart bridged the Grand Prix generations yesterday at the launch of the GPlive event which will take place at Donington Park on 18-20 May 2007.
As well as delighting guests with demonstrations of cars including a 1955 Maserati 250F, the actual McLaren F1 car used by Mass’s teammate James Hunt to win the 1976 British GP and one of the stunning Minardi F1x2 two-seaters, an impromptu forum gave some pithy opinions on current Formula One champions.
"Current Formula One cars are brilliant…boring, but brilliant" said Moss in typically feisty fashion. "They are just amazing in their performance, but nothing like as much fun to drive or watch as the type of car we raced in our era. Even today, getting behind the wheel of the Maserati 250F, is still a pleasure – it’s one of my personal favourites."
Moss was quizzed on Formula One’s two most recent World Champions too. "I think Alonso is simply brilliant. He’s got a tremendous attitude and his ability within the car speaks for itself. It’s often difficult to remember he’s so young, still in his early twenties."
On Michael Schumacher, opinions were more divided. Moss expressed horror at Schumacher’s attempt to stop the qualifying in the Monaco Grand Prix.
"In my generation that was called cheating" said Moss. "And as a sportsman you simply didn’t do it. I just couldn’t consider trying anything like that. There’s no doubt he’s fast and he’s intelligent, but actions like that through his career tarnish his achievements for me".
However, both Jochen Mass and Paul Stoddart leapt to Michael’s defence:
"When Michael was first starting his career in the early nineties, he was my team-mate in the Mercedes-Benz sports car team" said Le Mans winner and former McLaren racer Mass. "For sure he was quick, there was never any question, but what really made him stand out was his work ethic. Many times I would say ‘OK we’re on pole position and the car’s great’. Then Michael would say ‘No, let’s try this and this, we can make this car even greater’; the guy just never stopped!"
Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart also gave an insight into Michael’s skills - and more human side. "When we scored a Championship point in the Australian GP with Mark Webber, Michael and his wife Corinna came away from the official celebrations to join in the party with us. At the party Corinna said she’d love to try a passenger ride with Michael, so at the end of the season, we took some of our two-seaters to Ferrari’s test track at Fiorano. Michael was taking that two-seater around the track less than four seconds outside the record. I rode with him for a couple of laps and I can honestly say, there’s no other driver would could drive the car like that. Then at the end of the day, he searched out and personally thanked every single member of the team. Very few drivers ever do that."
The drivers’ forum preceded a series of photocalls and track action to give visitors a flavour of the GPlive event next May, which will give unprecedented access to the fastest cars and the greatest stars in a high octane celebration, featuring what will probably be the largest gathering of former Grand Prix cars in the world. Over its three days, the GPlive event will combine races and on track demonstrations from historic cars and drivers who remain motor sport legends.
"This debate is part of what GPlive is all about" said Richard Morgan, the initiator of GPlive. "As well as action and fun on the track, it will be about fans meeting the stars and asking the questions they may have waited years to ask. For three days next May, they will have a unique opportunity to get close to the cars and the drivers at the heart of this great sport".
