Monday, May 22, 2006
Aces High?
Why is it that so much of the media refer to Jenson Button as an "F1 ace"?
I'm not necessarily referring to TV as I don't believe I have heard the term used on ITV (even from James) and I don't see any F1 coverage on any other channel, I still can't even get Channel 5!
Many newspapers though seem to use this term quite liberally.
When I hear the word ace (referring to a person rather than a playing card or a tennis match) I immediately think of a fighter pilot. My limited understanding of such things would suggest a fighter pilot who had shot down five enemy aircraft.
Now, don't get me wrong I am quite happy for this term to be applied to a Formula 1 driver. Indeed it doesn't take many leaps of imagination to suggest a multitude of parallels between a fighter pilot and a Formula 1 driver, especially regarding beating the opposition, which is the primary aim of both (surely?)
To pursue a direct comparison though, would it not be reasonable to only use the phrase to describe a driver who had actually won some races? I'm not sure why in the fighter pilot case it would be five (if indeed it is!), and I'm not saying it should be specifically tied to a number either, but five race wins would be a good measure to prove that wins aren't just a fluke and would hopefully demonstrate some consistent form.
I'm not necessarily referring to TV as I don't believe I have heard the term used on ITV (even from James) and I don't see any F1 coverage on any other channel, I still can't even get Channel 5!
Many newspapers though seem to use this term quite liberally.
When I hear the word ace (referring to a person rather than a playing card or a tennis match) I immediately think of a fighter pilot. My limited understanding of such things would suggest a fighter pilot who had shot down five enemy aircraft.
Now, don't get me wrong I am quite happy for this term to be applied to a Formula 1 driver. Indeed it doesn't take many leaps of imagination to suggest a multitude of parallels between a fighter pilot and a Formula 1 driver, especially regarding beating the opposition, which is the primary aim of both (surely?)
To pursue a direct comparison though, would it not be reasonable to only use the phrase to describe a driver who had actually won some races? I'm not sure why in the fighter pilot case it would be five (if indeed it is!), and I'm not saying it should be specifically tied to a number either, but five race wins would be a good measure to prove that wins aren't just a fluke and would hopefully demonstrate some consistent form.
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With my gamboling hat on I'll add that yes it is 5 or more to become an ace as a fighter pilot. The idea officially originated in France during the first world war.
But the derivation of the word apparently came via the world of sport at the time in France. Principally football and bicycling.
The bicycling reference is especially interesting as the man who invented the tour de France is also the man who invented the very first grand prix. So there is a big chance that the term transferred over at that time.
In which case to be an ace at formula 1 you would have to have won five races, because that is what the term would mean.
But the derivation of the word apparently came via the world of sport at the time in France. Principally football and bicycling.
The bicycling reference is especially interesting as the man who invented the tour de France is also the man who invented the very first grand prix. So there is a big chance that the term transferred over at that time.
In which case to be an ace at formula 1 you would have to have won five races, because that is what the term would mean.
Hi Bearded Stew!
Haven't seen/heard from you in many years. Hope all is well. It's in fact been so long that I grew a beard in the intervening period, and have since shaved it off.
As for Button, I also think it's absurd how much the British press praise him, especially compared to actual British aces Hill and Mansell. He's a nice guy, I think, but nice guys finish last... mind you, his drive at Hockenheim in 2004 was phenomenal.
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Haven't seen/heard from you in many years. Hope all is well. It's in fact been so long that I grew a beard in the intervening period, and have since shaved it off.
As for Button, I also think it's absurd how much the British press praise him, especially compared to actual British aces Hill and Mansell. He's a nice guy, I think, but nice guys finish last... mind you, his drive at Hockenheim in 2004 was phenomenal.
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