In the run-up to the start of pre-season testing Motorsport Week brings you left-field reflections and stories of teams, drivers and reserves that will be part of the Formula 1 paddock in 2019.
For several years Formula 1 undertook podium interviews, with the top three finishers quizzed on their thoughts by drivers-turned-pundits, local TV presenters, or sometimes, a celebrity.
Frequently these resulted in extremely professional interviews – especially at Grands Prix where there has been more than a hint of tension – and at other times it has led to moments of jollity, none more so than when the booming-voiced Sir Patrick Stewart revelled in doing a Shoey.
But among the most bizarre was when legendary opera singer Plácido Domingo was tasked with carrying out the podium interviews in Spain three years ago.
It was an historic occasion for Formula 1 as Max Verstappen had just moments before become the sport’s youngest winner, and on his first start for Red Bull. He was already struggling to believe what had happened, and then Domingo’s appearance raised it up a notch.
Domingo called Verstappen ‘Markus’ and then embarked on an awkward series of exchanges with Verstappen, runner-up Kimi Raikkonen and third-placed Sebastian Vettel, before turning to the crowd, undertaking a brief monologue in which he congratulated FC Barcelona for its recent La Liga title triumph.
It was, at least, memorable. But perhaps not for the right reasons.
It wasn’t even his first appearance on the podium – he’d previously had the mic in Hungary in 2012, during the nascent days of the podium interviews. Best leave it to Brundle…
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