In 2017, 4-time WDC Sebastian Vettel is called on the carpet for bumping into Lewis Hamilton during a low speed, safety car period at Baku. The incident is described as a “red mist” moment, when SV’s emotions got the better of him.
Vettel was roundly criticized by the press. He was roundly lampooned for his initial denial of responsibility for his actions. He was assessed points on his Super License, and was made to apologize to the FIA, and to the public… We can’t have this childish behavior influencing up and coming drivers…
In contrast, rewind 27 years to Suzuka, 1990…
Ayrton Senna, then a one-time WDC, runs into Alain Prost before the first corner, merely seconds after the GP starts. The accident occurs at 270kph, without any effort to brake and make the corner. Senna had warned of the imminent crash before the race, making his intentions clearly plain, ""No matter what happens, I will not yield the corner and if Prost takes his normal racing line, it would result in an accident." It's one thing to have an accident on purpose. It is quite another to announce it in advance.
The incident settles the driver’s championship for 1990. Senna wins. No mention of “red mist” driving. No license points, no admonition by FIA, no public apologies required.
In 2017, Vettel is chastised for his emotional driving. Since 1994, Senna has been treated like an angelic hero. Perhaps 2017 is ruled too much by political correctness. Or is it that a dead man’s “Legend” grants him a free pass from criticism, both then and now?
I am not a Vettel fan, nor am I a Prost or Senna fan. I watched Senna’s career live, from start to finish. He was a brilliant driver, especially in the inferior Toleman-Hart. His performance in the wet at Monaco (1984) foretold a greatness to come. He was the qualification pole record holder til this year, and his eventual race record speaks for itself.
However, Senna was also
reckless. There, I said it (sacrilege to some I’m sure). He often boasted of driving himself and his car at 110%. But in doing so, he often overdrove both, placing himself and his fellow competitors at extreme risk, at a time when the cars were far less safe than they are today.
Vettel’s single “Red Mist” moment can easily be excused in comparison with Senna’s frequent “Red Mist” moments. His driving soured relationships with the majority of the field (and virtually every one of his teammates). Red Mist quarrels, accidents, and fistfights included E.De Angelis, N.Piquet, D.Warwick, M.Alboreto, G.Berger, N.Lauda, N.Mansell, R.Patrese, M.Schumacher, E.Irvine…not just A.Prost.
In 1990, Jackie Stewart interviewed Senna about the number of controversial collisions in which Senna had been involved over the previous years, questioning why Senna “had made more contact with other cars and drivers in the last four years than all the champions before him?”
Senna’s dismissive answer that he was under “pressure” which any 3-time WDC (Stewart) should not question, only confirmed Senna’s attitude. Imagine if that arrogance would pass for an explanation appropriate for young drivers to hear in 2017?
In sum, Senna competed in 161 GPs. He won 41 times, and finished on the podium 80 times (50%). But don’t forget… He either retired or was DSQ’d 53 times (33%) while driving the very best (most reliable) cars available 9 out of his ten years. This left him with just half as many mid-pack finishes (28, or 17%) as DNFs, demonstrating a lopsided, “all or nothing” pattern…A good representation of a “Checkers or Wreckers” driving record.
Table of results here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayrton_Se ... ne_resultsI have no quarrel with people praising the “Legend” today, as long as it is also tempered with the recognition that it was often earned at substantial peril. He was an excellent driver, but he was no saint. And the lessons offered by his many emotional (Red Mist) flaws should not be ignored or forgotten.
Just ask yourself…How would this behavior be tolerated in 2017?