F1 drivers should re-train as bus and train drivers

Brian from Liverpool caused a big stir in an e-mail in response to my race report from the Circuit de Catalunya in which he suggested that, in view of concerns over global warming, Formula One drivers should stop racing round tracks and re-train as bus and train drivers.

I must admit, so carried away was I by the excitement of what I was seeing at Barcelona, that I briefly forgot about global warming as Lewis, Felipe, Fernando et al hammered past for 66 laps. Anyway Brian certainly got some reaction and here it is. Have a read and tell me what you think.

Here is his e-mail:
"In view of Global warming, will bio-fuels soon start being used in this race without purpose? Perhaps these young men who like to drive in circles could be re-trained as bus or train drivers to help people get to work on time." 

Here is the reaction:

"Bio fuels ....what a great idea, Brian.. i know lets clear the rainforests of the world and grow crops for bio fuels.... errrr... or lets not... A pretty one eyed comment fm Lpool - Anyway I think Lewis Hamiltions sucess is fabulous - perhaps LH's grandfather would have given sterling moss a run for his money.... hey perhaps he still could. Now theres a race worth watching.. " Bill, Zurich, Switzerland

"What a disappointment to see Brian from Liverpool use this as a forum for his eco warrior tendancies, whereas I respect his right to voice his mis-guided views could he not bring himself to congratulate a potential British sporting superstar. Well done Lewis see you @ Silverstone, as for Brian could you please link your opinions to a more appropriate artice in the future. Thank-you" Alex, Colchester

"The FIA are actually looking at ways of making F1 greener... looking at energy recovery systems etc. Personally I wish they'd just ignore ecomentalists such as Brian and get on with racing!" Graeme, London

"Brian of Liverpool, when are you going to stop listening to the “Global Warming” hype and for once look at the sky and blame the BIG yellow thing in the sky? However back to the Formula 1 that was one superb action packed race best I’ve seen in a long time and hope that our rookie can go from strength to strength." Brian, East Kilbride, Scotland

"Hey, Brian, I didn't think anyone worked in Liverpool!" Bob Gunton, Liverpool

"Hey Bob! Nice one! I'm retired myself, with two pensions. Some of the posters here don't have much of a sense of humour, do they?" Brian , Liverpool

"Compared to the everyday use of cars, lorries etc.. I think you'll find the proportion of emissions from a whole season of F1 racing would be far far less! Also, if I'm not mistaken the whole purpose of F1 is to improve car and engine technology: that includes fuel efficiency. Of course, there is a need to reduce all emissions, but to pick on those things that scarcely make an impact, is just ridiculous." C. Hale, Wolverhampton

"Here we go again... another eco warrior banging on about global warming and how we can save the planet...get a life instead and stop trying to infect everyone with the same virus you have caught. I am not a great fan of F1 but if we let the eco killjoys dictate what we do for our leisure and pleasure we will regret it forever. Once we give them the power of veto we will never get it back. It is time we stood up to the eco bullies. Well done Hamilton." Ian Simpkins, Offley Hay, Staffordshire

(Wonderful picture via mtoleric at Flickr)

Comments

[Jack]

Formula 1 has been carbon neutral since 1997. Bob didn't seem to be aware of this when he took off on his crusade.

[N G Cook]

Formula 1 etc fosters a largely male obsession with performance cars, unnecessary speed & panders to Boy Racers everywhere. It goes hand-in-hand with car-adverts depicting unstressed Alpha-males over-speeding on empty rural roads. As if. Both should cease now in the interests of responsibility.

[David]

Although I sometimes enjoy the spectacle I have always thought all motor sport to be misguided activity. Why? Because anything which glorifies speed in a vehicle encourages mankind to waste resources and to drive too fast for safety. Now a race to see how far a vehicle could travel on 1 litre of fuel would be a good idea! I am also unconvinced by the global warming blame being laid at the door or carbon emissions and believe that it is simply a natural occurrence which we have to cope with so I am no eco warrier!

[Nicci]

What has N G Cook got to say the fact that myself and my friends are all female and enjoy motorsports? Indeed we run a website and forum aimed at bringing motorsport to women.

Men are not the only one who have adrenal glands which work overtime when the accelerator depresses on a car.

The FIA are killing the sport off by making it more environmentally friendly, freezing engine development, limiting testing miles and soon they will have to use the heat from the brakes.

The point of motorsport is to provide a spectacle of speed in the safest confines possible and the decline in death and injury over the last 20 years has reflected this.

Some people enjoy football, others enjoy cricket. For the most part no one complains about those, despite the loutish behaviour football in particular seems to embody, not to mention the carbon cost of flying the teams, officials, wives and hangers on all around the world.

[Marco]

Perhaps Brian should conserve energy (sourced from great evil fossil fuel burning plants) by switching off his pc and not irresponsibly frittering away scarce resources needlessly writing in on this forum.

[Brian (yes it's me again)]

Well Marco, I do switch my PC off every night along with the TV etc. I also don't have a car as I use the train, bus or taxis or walk. If I didn't use my PC sometimes, I wouldn't be able to enjoy talking to you, now would I?

[syguy]

Hybrid racecars (with regenerative braking) have the potential to reinvigorate the Formula 1 spectacle with a 'push to pass' button. Yes, that would be 'pass' in the race not the pits. Who wouldn't want to see that? And while cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the same time - what's not to love?

Already there is a Formula Hybrid http://www.symscape.com/blog/formula_hybrid student competition to construct and race a car with regenerative braking. There's good signs that Formula 1 will splash some loose change on hybrid research - I say bring it on.