Interview: Sir Stirling Moss
Sir Stirling Moss on Silverstone, Jean Todt and his predictions for 2010
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Friday, 06, Nov 2009 11:30
By Adam Leveridge.
F1 legend Sir Stirling Moss speaks to inthenews.co.uk about the future of the British grand prix; the new Jean Todt regime at the FIA; and his predictions for the 2010 season.
InTheNews.co.uk: Hi Sir Stirling, hope you are well?
Sir Stirling Moss (SM): "Very well, thank you."
Q: Good stuff. Obviously Jenson Button's world championship win is great for British motorsport, especially as he is the second consecutive British title winner, but what sort of world champion do you think Button will be?
SM: "I think he will be a very worthy world champion.
"He has got a big job to keep it next year. Lewis Hamilton is quoted as saying, 'look it's only on loan so don't get too keen on it for next year', but with Ferrari coming in with Fernando Alonso next year, I think we're going to see a very exciting season."
Q: So, do you think Button should stay with Brawn in 2010?
SM: "If I was advising him, I would say yes, because Brawn are going to be taken over by Mercedes-Benz - we believe - and therefore they are going to have a lot more finances to help them keep up.
"I think it would be a very good idea for him to remain with the team."
Q: So you think Brawn are going to be competitive in 2010 then?
SM: "I think they are going to be very competitive, but I think Ferrari will be more competitive than they have been, as they have Alonso, who is possibly the quickest driver in the world, together with Felipe Massa who also does a pretty good job.
"I think next year is going to be even more exciting than this year."
Q: What about the British grand prix? What do you think the ramifications will be if we lose it from the calendar next season?
SM: "Well, the British grand prix is still at home with Silverstone.
"It's nothing like some of the modern circuits of course, but drivers think it's a very good track, it's much easier to get in and out of now.
"It's certainly improving in every way and there is nowhere else in this country with the infrastructure.
"I mean Donington, even if they weren't rebuilding or even if they do rebuild, whichever way it goes, the circuit won't be big enough, in my opinion, to hold something like a formula one world championship event."
Q: So are you glad it didn't work out with Donington then?
SM: "Donington would not be capable of coping with it, like the trucks and everything that goes with the grand prix.
"And of course, the amount of people that turn up."
Q: Do you think a solution will be found between the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) and Bernie Ecclestone over the price for hosting the grand prix?
SM: "A solution has to be found. It has to be Silverstone and it would be awful if we didn't have a British grand prix or if the race was held at a different circuit.
"It would be very bad."
Q: Ecclestone seems pretty relaxed about the prospect of losing the British grand prix. Do you think he has the best interests of the sport at heart?
SM: "There is no heart in the sport because it's a sport.
"Bernie is a tough businessman and there is this romantic idea that motor racing has heart, but forget it."
Q: Okay. We also have a new president of the FIA in Jean Todt. What do you think Max Mosley's legacy will be?
SM: "I don't know. I think Max really did a very good job and whether one aggress with his personal life is not really anything to do with the business side of things.
"I don't think that Jean Todt would have been my choice, but we will have to wait and see."
Q: What issues do you think Jean Todt has to tackle within F1?
SM: "I don't think he needs to tackle anything.
"As long as he keeps his nose out of it and he allows the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) and the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) to just get on with it, I think the sport will be sorted out."
Q: Well, I know it's early, but I'm going to ask for your prediction for next season. Who will be world champion in 2010? Would you tip Alonso for the championship?
SM: "I would put Alonso as probably the most likely, but I think it all depends on who drivers the other Brawn alongside Button, because I think they will be in with a jolly good chance and I think Lewis Hamilton will be in there, as he is a terrific racer.
"There's no doubt that, if his car is as good as it appears to be now, I think he has to be considered."
Q: Well Nico Rosberg has been tipped for the seat at Brawn alongside Button, so do you think he has what it takes?
SM: "Yes I do. I think he would be pretty good, but it's a long way off."
Q: Okay, well I really appreciate you taking the time to speak to me. Take care.
SM: "Thanks a lot, Bye."
Q: Bye.
Sir Stirling Moss was speaking to inthenews.co.uk to promote the launch of 'Locatorz' - a new mobile phone-based service that allows families and businesses to locate loved ones and staff to within ten metres of their location, anywhere in the UK.
For more information visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk or www.locatorz.co.uk.