Formula 1 commentator Atle Gulbrandsen does not like the development in the mood between the fans of Lewis Hamilton (37) and Max Verstappen (24).
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The increased interest in Formula 1 comes with a negative side, according to several experts. The new fans behave differently. The rivalry and the match between Hamilton and Verstappen leads to steep fronts between the fans.
– Formula 1 and motorsport are very convivial. There is never a commotion in the stands. Fans of different drivers can sit next to each other and the good mood. But with the increased interest we see an effect, the new fans come in behaving differently. It is more polarized. There is a harder tone between the fans, says Viaplay’s Formula 1 commentator Atle Gulbrandsen to VG.
Who are you cheering on in the Formula 1 circus?
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In football, some matches are called “hate matches”, such as Vålerenga against Lillestrøm, Liverpool against Manchester United and the settlements between Celtic and Rangers in Scotland.
– Personally, I do not think the development is good. It’s okay with temperature, but it can be reminiscent of other sports, says Gulbrandsen.
There was no duel between Verstappen and Hamilton in the first World Cup round. On the other hand, there were violent overtakings between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, before Verstappen’s car stopped and the Dutchman had to break.
The TV pictures showed Verstappen and Ferrari fans side by side. Gulbrandsen pointed out during the broadcast that there were nice pictures.
In the second race of the season this weekend, Verstappen won ahead of Leclerc.
–The harsh exchange of words is between the fans of Verstappen and Hamilton. It peaked when the World Cup was decided in the last round last year. Hamilton had it all in his hollow hand, until a couple of laps remained and Nicholas Latifi crashed just before the end. It triggered a chaos of messages from the race director and safety car and ended with that Verstappen won and became world championmens Latifi received death threats.
We who comment can hardly mention one of the two names without being accused of agreeing with them. This is something new for us. We have to explain what is going on on the track, and if we think one driver may be to blame, it does not mean that we cheer on the other, says Gulbrandsen.
He believes the way the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” dramatizes and exaggerates the conflicts and rivalry between team leaders Christian Horner (Red Bull) and Toto Wolff (Mercedes) and Verstappen and Hamilton, and that it triggers a lot of emotions.
–– Verstappen is the most popular driver in Formula 1, several studies show. He has many young fans. He is a bit rowdy both on and off the field, many like it. While Hamilton is an eccentric guy in weird clothes. Hamilton is a man with good values, but it may be too much of a good thing, and that he will be for politically correct, says Gulbrandsen to VG.
Anna Andersson has written Formula 1 in Swedish Aftonbladet for 20 years. She believes Horner and Wolff must take much of the blame for the war of words between the fans.
– Wolff and Horner are very tough in their comments against each other and use words that are completely on the border of what a normal conversation allows. It did not get better after the controversial end of last season. At the same time, the competition between the two drivers is very good for the sport. It is almost as if reality last year surpassed history, and Formula 1 in reality so far has been clearly better than “Drive to Survive”. What more could we want? Andersson asks.
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