Oliver WhiteWhen Fernando Alonso darted across the Sepang finish line last weekend, lots of people behind the scenes were busy preparing the podium celebrations. Parc Ferme was ready to accept the 22 cars, and the scales were primed to check each of the top three drivers before they head up to spray the champagne. It is normal – in fact, required – in these cases for the organisers to display the three flags of the nations of the podium drivers, in Sepang’s case; Spain, Britain and Finland. It is also normal to hear the winning drivers national anthem, followed by the constructors national anthem and then some Vivaldi to get the party started. Those of us who watched the podium celebrations after Alonso’s thrashing of Ferrari last Sunday saw the Spanish flag raised behind him. We heard the Spanish anthem, and we heard God Save The Queen for McLaren. So why are Germany kicking up a stink at the moment?
Well, first of all, this news item was published in Germany’s Bild Zeitung. While I’ve never actually read a copy, it seems that whenever there is some piece of fantastical news or rumour, it often stems from this publication. However, Bild are suggesting that the German national anthem should have been broadcast for McLaren. They have stated that McLaren is their car, as the majority shareholder in the Woking based team is Mercedes, currently with 40%.
So despite the team being in their own words “international”, despite the cars being designed and built in Great Britain and despite the team registering themselves in good ol’ Blighty on the FIA World Championship entrance form, Germany wish to hear their anthem on the podium? To be honest, it really doesn’t make too much sense. If constructor was defined as the engine manufacturer, then I’d agree with Bild’s comments, but it isn’t. In fact, the team was founded by a New Zealander – Bruce McLaren – so if anyone should be arguing about this, it’s the Kiwi’s. However, I suspect that like me, they too couldn’t really give a damn, as the German national anthem will not re-write the history books.
I can understand the feeling of the German fans. But we are an international team and the really important thing is that we win, not what is heard on the podium. Norbert Haug.
It seems Germany is missing their anthem being played every other weekend, now Michael Schumacher has retired, and unless Nick Heidfeld or Nico Rosberg pull something out of the bag, it is going to be a while before we next hear Das Lied der Deutschen.
What are your views on this potentially thorny issue? Is the playing of national anthems antiquated? Is it a proud moment for you to hear your own? Are you deeply patriotic, or just biding your time to hear the post-race press conference? Have your say in the comments below…
As an atheist and republican it’s probably a good thing that I’m never likely to do anything to warrant God Save the Queen being played.
I doubt many Germans seriously expect their anthem to be played when McLaren win. Mercedes’ majority ownership of the team is immaterial in this regard. Perhaps I’m being cynical, but it sounds like a shot in a PR war between BMW and Mercedes.
[…] There’s been talk today about an article that appeared in Germany’s Bild magazine, that suggests some people were unhappy that the British national anthem was played after Alonso’s victory in Sepang last weekend. BlogF1 has more background on the story. […]
Yes, part of me agrees with this. Former F1 pilot and ambassador to BMW – Hans Stuck – has gone on record as backing Bild’s comments, believing that McLaren is a German car. Pitpass made a great comment where they listed the national anthems that would need to be played for Mercedes, Ron Dennis, Mansour Ojjeh and Mumtalakat if this was really taken seriously.
I like the post on Sidepodcast (linked above), speculating that this could be because of McLaren’s booting from the 2008 F1 Commission, and a possible relocation to Germany would reinstate Dennis’ voting rights.
By the way, in case anything untoward should happen in the future, BlogF1 is now registered in Liechtenstein. 😉
The complaint about McLaren not playing the German national anthem is silly. If a piece of music truly representative of McLaren were to be played, there would have to be the British (for the chassis/part-owner), German (for the engine/part-owner), Spanish (for the driver), Bahraini (for the part-owner), Saudi Arabian (for the other part-owner) and Kiwi (for good old Bruce McLaren). If [i]that[/i] ever happened, there’d be ad breaks in the middle of the podium ceremony!
Hehe, don’t encourage ITV to show more adverts! Very true though, F1 is an international sport, hence why I wonder if the national anthems played for the constructors is a little antiquated.
Geesh… call the Germans a Whaaaaambulance!
MeThinks they are suffering from an acute case of LSDS (Losing Schumacher Derangement Syndrome)
Hey Oliver, very well written. Especially the part about Michael Schumacher. As I was reading it, before I got to the Schumacher part, I was just thinking of the same thing that you’ve written. About them missing the anthem being played almost at every race. Hee hee. Really well written. Well done, mate!!
Thanks for the encouragement Akshay.
When was the German national anthem last played, followed by the Italian national anthem?
Aside from last Sunday, probably Michael Schumacher’s last win, which I think was China 2006.
[…] recently, German tabloid Bild raised the issue of McLaren’s anthem, claiming that as Mercedes own a large portion of the squad, the music played for the winning […]