Glass Houses
Last night, I stumbled across a piece of writing that made laugh, angry, laugh again, and finally, irritated enough that I thought I’d write about it. It all began with Vijay Mallya selling Force India to the Sahara Group and coming out of it still retaining a 42.5% shareholding. Instead of crying “liar” you’d think “swindler” would be more appropriate for this piece of conjuring but of course, Dr Mallya hadn’t really “sold” the team as is easy to explain – anyone who’s seen Dragon’s Den will know that. Or so I thought…
Because last night I found an attempt to do just that. The only problem is that they got so bogged down in their grave dancing and trumpeting their experience in “the business side of F1″ compared with bloggers that they totally messed that up. A careful explanation of how Sahara could own 50% of the team and Mallya and the Mol family 25% neglects the fact that the ownership resembles nothing like those ratios – by their own admission, that’s because they had to use easy numbers. Their business credentials are questionable but it’s certainly 1 out of 5 for maths (or presumably 95% if you are them.)
However, that was all mostly lost in the fit of giggles brought on by the fact that the site mocking bloggers compared with their own “professional journalism” is the same site that presumably considered using a picture of the Ku Klux Klan the height of journalistic quality. Before mocking the accuracy of other writers, maybe they should remember their exclusive about Mercedes firing Nick Fry which was quietly deleted in the hope nobody would notice their faux pas. Very professional. In short, they’re the last people who should be throwing stones, the irony behind it all is that they don’t actually have a pitpass.
And while they’re lambasting the blogger in question for his response to criticism, I’ll bring up their response to my politely phrased criticism of one of their articles back in 2009: ‘You claim that [sic] previously held us in “respect” and “high regard”, however, I don’t ever remember receiving a word of thanks or acknowledgement for providing our service free of charge.’ Thank you but don’t lecture us about “Stifling the fans’ voices in such a public and broad-brush way…” – stifling it in a non-public way is not exactly better you know.
And while all this was going on, the real story was totally missed – the dogs dinner that is now the Sahara Force India F1 logo. Seriously, just how many different typefaces do they need?
Credit: Sahara Force India F1
Haha love it. All they succeeded in doing was make themselves look even more foolish and I thought that was impossible.
saltire(Quote) (Reply)
I really enjoy reading well written critical articles, well done. I would love to know what the article your referring to is?
Literal F1(Quote) (Reply)
They aren’t altogether wrong about “the blogger” though. Having said that, their criticism is over the top. You get a feel of bitterness, especially in the final paragraph. You feel they rather lengthened it too. They might as well have said, blogger blasphemy bung impeachment and that would have sent across the same message about the particular person.
You aren’t wrong about “the website in question”, but they are entitled to their 15 mins on the moral high ground before they stoop to another low.
Kimster(Quote) (Reply)
LOL
I assume this is Pitpass. Does anyone take them seriously anymore?
TheJoker(Quote) (Reply)
Their moral high ground is built on Sahara and everyone knows what happens when you build on sand…
Mav(Quote) (Reply)
I begrudge them a link but I’m sure someone will give you a clue
Ahem
Mav(Quote) (Reply)
Mav,
I am from a village in the Sahara desert where they have built an airport on the outskirts. So quite good by the sounds of it.
Kimster(Quote) (Reply)
You see, the problem with living in a glass house, is that it often becomes impossible to find which bit is the door into the real world. So you end up entrapped in your own little bubble. Seems certain websites of less than professional standards in my opinion and absolutely no access to the paddock have done exactly that.
Yvonne(Quote) (Reply)
You mean the paddock were wondering why the bathroom window was getting condensation on the outside?
Kimster(Quote) (Reply)
Yvonne,
I’ve got a horrible image of a mime artist now.
Make it stop!
Mav(Quote) (Reply)
“Seriously, just how many different typefaces do they need?”
…Not the five they actually used, that’s certain!
Alianora La Canta(Quote) (Reply)
Leave your response!
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Tags
Blogroll
2013 Circuit Guides
All the data for every stop on the 2013 calendar... [More]
Statistics
Grand Prix
Results Summary
Drivers:
Full Standings
Categories
Archives
Awards
Search the Blog
About Us
Most Commented
Most Viewed