Former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner has criticised the modern direction of the sport, arguing that the glitz and glamour of the paddock now overshadow the racing itself. Danner, who competed in F1 for four years between 1985 and 1989 alongside Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Nigel Mansell, spoke exclusively to the Daily Star Sport via Lottoland Live Casino.
Danner, now 68, explained how the sport has evolved since his debut at Brands Hatch in 1985, particularly highlighting the influence of social media and the rise of celebrity culture in the paddock.
Social Media's Impact on Formula 1
Danner noted the significant changes brought about by Liberty Media's takeover of Formula 1, which aimed to broaden the sport's appeal beyond dedicated racing fans. He acknowledged that the platform has improved dramatically, but this has come with a shift in focus.
“It is clearly different to when I started racing in Formula One. Don’t forget, that was back in 1985. I did my first race at Brands Hatch. And it was a different world then compared to now,” Danner said.
He contrasted the modern real-time news cycle with his era, when stories about drivers' personal lives would appear in newspapers days later. Now, he said, “the variety of things that matter are not racing only.”
Paddock Distractions and Technical Issues
Danner pointed to the attention given to Gabriel Bortoleto's girlfriend, Isabella Bernardini, who arrived at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix wearing a custom-made dress from an Audi F1 team t-shirt. He contrasted this with the technical problems facing the struggling Audi team.
“Audi, bloody Audi, they have technical problems and engine failure and hydraulics and whatever else. Every time my good friend Allan McNish mentions something officially, it’s a technical issue,” Danner fumed.
“Next time I see him, I’ll rub it up his a***, I tell you, because they have a huge programme about the fact that Gabriel Bortoleto’s girlfriend is wearing a designer outfit, kind of put together by a British designer, and she’s going to enter the paddock at 9:15.”
He added: “So all you could see was a beautiful young girl with nice boots or whatever it takes. And that was Formula One. It was impossible in my days.”
Danner's Optimism for the Sport's Future
Despite his criticisms, Danner expressed optimism about the sport's future, praising the separation of commercial and sporting interests established by former FIA president Max Mosley. He also complimented current FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“I think there is some danger. However, I’m very optimistic because we do have an FIA president who is very, very much a motor racing lover. And he might come over sometimes a bit harsh, but he is a seriously good man for our sport,” Danner said.
He concluded: “Thank Max Mosley, we have the two issues, the Formula One management, which is the commercial side of it, and the sporting side of it, which is the FIA, completely separated. Max did all that. It was Max’s idea. It was Max’s, basically, lifetime achievement, was exactly that. And because of that, we do have a chance that the racing spirit remains. If it was only FOM, we’d be gone. But it’s a very healthy mix and they get on with each other, and it takes strong characters to actually survive in that environment. I think we’re safe, we’re safe.”
